Over 0–100 km/h, Model S 85 wins (5,75 s vs 6,21 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Model S 85 | John Cooper Works FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,75 s−0,46 s | 6,21 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,94 s−0,32 s | 14,26 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,17 s−0,13 s | 25,30 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 201 km/h | 251 km/h−50 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,82 kg/hp | 5,09 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Model S 85 | John Cooper Works FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,67 s | 1,85 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,78 s | 3,09 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,46 s | 4,95 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,75 s | 6,21 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,39 s | 7,93 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,43 s | 12,59 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,22 s | 20,51 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,94 s | 14,26 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,17 s | 25,30 stight gap |
| Top speed | 201 km/h | 251 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 362 hp | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 599 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 108 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 231 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 175 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed automatic |
Off the line, the Model S 85 hits 100 km/h in 5.75 s versus 6.21 s for the John Cooper Works FWD. The instant torque of 599 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model S 85 leads by 0.46 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model S 85 is doing 137 km/h against 137 km/h for the John Cooper Works FWD. The gap is 0.34 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model S 85 crosses the line in 13.94 s versus 14.26 s. The 0.32 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Model S 85 maxes out at 201 km/h while the John Cooper Works FWD keeps accelerating towards 251 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.29 s.
At 1,000 metres, the Model S 85 finishes in 25.17 s versus 25.29 s, with just 0.13 s to spare. The John Cooper Works FWD fails to fully close the launch gap.
Electronically capped at 201 km/h, the Model S 85 never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.88 seconds. The 0.46 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model S 85 wins (5,75 s vs 6,21 s).
Model S 85 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,75 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model S 85: 362 hp, ratio 5,82 kg/hp. John Cooper Works FWD: 231 hp, ratio 5,09 kg/hp.
Model S 85: 201 km/h. John Cooper Works FWD: 251 km/h.